BALTIMORE, Md. — An investigation released on Friday by the Baltimore City Fire Department has determined that a deadly fire claiming the lives of two firefighters was accidental. The incident, which occurred on October 19, 2023, resulted in the tragic deaths of firefighters Dillon Rinaldo, aged 26, and Rodney Pitts III, aged 31, as it spread through several rowhouses in northwest Baltimore.

While the exact origin of the fire remains unidentified, officials have ruled out both electrical system failures and the improper disposal of smoking materials such as cigarettes as potential causes, according to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms. The fire reportedly started at the back of a first-floor unit on Linden Heights Avenue, local authorities stated.

In a separate investigation conducted by Maryland Occupational Safety and Health, it was found that there were no violations of legal or regulatory standards related to the incident, as reported by local media.

Fire Chief James Wallace expressed the department’s profound sorrow regarding the loss of their colleagues, noting the impact on both the firefighting community and the wider public. In a statement released on Friday, he remarked, “Our firefighters put their lives on the line every day, and it is heartbreaking when such sacrifice results in loss.” The tragedy of the Linden Heights fire continues to resonate deeply within the Baltimore Fire Department and among the residents they serve.